New England Patriots’ All-Time Receiving TD Leaders

Stanley Morgan

Ben Coates

The New England Patriots have a winning formula, and with cornerstone players like Tom Brady, they always seem to be in contention as I write this in 2011. The Patriots began play in 1960 as an AFL franchise (and as the Boston Patriots), and merged into the NFL in 1970, becoming the New England Patriots officially in 1971. The team has fielded some great players, and in particular some terrific quarterbacks and receivers. Here is a short list of the Patriots’ all-time leaders in receiving touchdowns to date:

Stanley Morgan (67)—Stanley Morgan played for the Patriots most of his career, from 1977 to 1989, and he ranks first in team history with 67 touchdown receptions. Morgan made the Pro Bowl four times, and while he had a career high (and NFL best) 12 TD catches in 1979, Morgan’s best overall season may have been 1986. That year, Morgan had career highs in receptions (84) and receiving yards (1491), with 10 touchdown catches.

Ben Coates (50)—Tight end Ben Coates played for the Patriots most of his career, from 1991 to 1999 and seemed to have a nose for the end zone. Coates ranks tied for second in franchise history with 50 touchdown catches, and he made the Pro Bowl five times, twice as a first team All Pro. Coates had a career high 9 TD catches in 1996, but like Morgan, this wasn’t his best overall season. That would likely be 1994, when Coates was a first team All Pro with career best numbers in catches (96) and receiving yards (1174), and 7 touchdowns.

Randy Moss (50)—Randy Moss has had a remarkable career, and while he played for New England for a relatively short time (2007 to 2010), he ranks tied with Coates for second in Patriots’ history with 50 TD receptions. Moss made the Pro Bowl twice with New England, once as a first team All Pro—in 2007, his best year. That year, Moss had a modest (by his standards) 98 catches for 1493 yards; but a career high (and NFL record) 23 touchdown catches.

Gino Cappelletti (42)—Gino Cappelletti played for the Boston Patriots his entire career, from 1960 to 1969, and he played different positions, including flanker, cornerback and KICKER. Cappelletti ranks fourth in team history with 42 touchdown catches, and while he had a career high 9 TD receptions in 1965, Cappelletti’s best overall receiving season was arguably 1964. That year, he had career highs in receptions (49) and receiving yards (865) with 7 touchdowns.

Jim Colclough (39)—Jim Colclough also played for Boston his entire career, from 1960 to 1968, and he ranks fifth in franchise history with 39 touchdown catches. Colclough had his best season in 1962. That year, he had 40 catches for career highs in receiving yards (868) and touchdown receptions (10), and also led the AFL with a remarkable 21.7 yards-per-catch average.

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